Nearly 70,000 people visited Tate Modern and experienced the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt during its recent five day display in the Turbine Hall. The figure is by far the highest number of people to have ever seen the Quilt, which commemorates the lives of those who died from AIDS-related illness in the UK from the 1980s to today. The Turbine Hall display was its largest ever, including a new panel added to the Quilt on the opening morning.
“The unprecedented number of visitors to the Quilt in the Turbine Hall confirms the urgent need to ensure both its preservation, and its future display. Across five days, communities united at the Quilt to remember, to reflect and to renew their commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS. This display was just the beginning, with plans now underway to show the Quilt across the UK in the years to come,”
Siobhán Lanigan, chair of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Partnership
The Turbine Hall display of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt commemorated the lives of 385 named people who died from AIDS-related illness, as well as countless others unnamed. The Quilt consists of 42 blocks measuring 12ft x 12ft, each made up of panels measuring 6ft x 3ft. The display also included 23 panels as yet to be sewn into blocks, with panels continuing to be made.
The Quilt is part of the world’s largest community art project, along with Quilts made in countries worldwide. The Turbine Hall display was the first time the UK Quilt had ever been shown in full in an art institution. The display highlighted that the Quilt is both a memorial and also a significant work of art. As well as future displays, the focus is now on fundraising to ensure a permanent home for the preservation and care of this unique social document.
This display was presented by Tate in partnership with UK AIDS Memorial Quilt and was initiated by Charlie Porter. It was curated by Elliot Gibbons, Collaborative Doctoral Researcher, Tate.
Find out more about the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt by visiting their website: aidsquiltuk.org
